Story times resume this week

Story Times are resuming this week, back to their normal schedule of every Wednesday at 10 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. and Saturdays at 2 p.m. They’ll begin with a “Back to School” theme on Wednesday and focus on the letter “A” for Saturday’s Story Time.

For those that read their 20 hours during the Summer Reading Program and turned in the order form, T-shirts will be available starting Aug. 16 until Aug. 31, which will be the last day to pick them up. Contact the library by calling 575-622-7101 or visit at 301 N. Pennsylvania Ave.

Book Talk by Robert BriggsCirculation Supervisor
Dragons are found in mythologies around the world. Some cultures feared them as harbingers of death and destruction, and others saw them as a sign of good luck. Whatever the case, there’s no denying how awesome dragons are.
In Gabe Hudson’s “Gork, The Teenage Dragon,” Gork has a hard time fitting in at Warwings Military Academy. He has a huge heart, and his tiny horns are so small, that rather than inciting fear in his enemies, they prompt laughter and mockery. Brutality and betrayal are valued over tenderness in Gork’s society, and his kind nature puts him at such odds with others that slavery is a very real threat.
On the eve of graduation day, he must ask a female dragon to be his queen. Gork has his eye on the most popular she-dragon, and he and his best friend involve themselves in a series of goofy instances in order to win his queen. In this book, dragons are a space-faring species, conquering planets and spreading mayhem wherever they go. It’s a refreshing and comical take on the mythic beasts, and it combines elements of coming-of-age stories as well. Many will find a lot to like in this silly teenage dragon trying to fumble his way into adulthood. “Gork, The Teenage Dragon” is located in the science-fiction section of the library under the author’s last name, Hudson.

“Dragonslayer” is a classic fantasy movie about Galen, a sorcerer’s apprentice who has been tasked with saving the fictional, sixth-century kingdom of Urland from the fierce dragon, Vermithrax Pejorative. After the death of his master, Galen takes the sorcerer’s amulet and makes the voyage to Urland, where twice a year, a virgin girl is selected by lottery as a sacrifice to the dragon to keep him from rendering Urland nonexistent.
Facing opposition from the king of Urland, Galen must find a way to slay the dragon, so that the horrific practice can come to a halt. It’s a highly imaginative swords and sorcery adventure with a cast of memorable characters. Dragonslayer can be found in the audio-visual section of the library, shelved with all the other fiction DVDs.
“Bringing Up Baby Dragons,” by Ernest Drake, is the No. 1 guide on raising dragons — or at least it would be if dragons were real. It teaches would-be dragon breeders all they need to know about taming baby dragons, housing them, keeping them comfortable and enriching them through play. It provides recipes for dragon treats, and also has the words to classic dragon lullabies.
There are plenty of adorable illustrations that should keep one entertained and prepared for the day they finally get their own pet dragon. That’s assuming that dragons are real, and, well, you never know. “Bringing Up Baby Dragons” can be found in the J-Fiction area of the library, under the author’s last name, Drake.
———Amanda Davis is a reference librarian at the Roswell Public Library. She can be contacted at A.Davis@roswell-nm.gov.